Sputters ..

[FestYboy]

Well just took timing cover off ad noticed timing jump again . Would off timing cause it to sputter ?

yes... now find out WHY it's jumping timing.

[Dom]

How do I do that

[nitrofarm]

Just make sure you set the tension correctly, and check the bearing on the tensioner for binding.

How do I do that

Get a FORD FESTIVA SERVICE manual it will save you lots of questions and headaches. You can find them on eBay shipped to your door for like $25.00

[FestYboy]

pull the belt, inspect the tentioner, inspect the belt. is the tentioner even able to do it's job??? (belt too big or tentioner not able to move into position properly).

[Dom]

pull the belt, inspect the tentioner, inspect the belt. is the tentioner even able to do it's job??? (belt too big or tentioner not able to move into position properly).

Ok thanks will check in the morning.

[drddan]

While your in there looking at that stuff, check that the cam gear bolt is tight, and is not loose on the cam, causing the gear to spin on the camshaft.

Rare, but heard of it happening before.

[nitrofarm]

No offense, but it took you that long? :shock:

By golly, I did it in that time laying on my back it the dirt, when the Festy broke down 100+ miles away at deer camp!!!

Wow you changed out the crank seal lying on your back.Wow I must be a total ass huh?

[Dom]

just went to go check up on my car at the mechanic and he also stated my timing was off and thats what was causing the sputtering well.........so he replaced the timing, tensioner,and belt. just went there and the car is doing the same exact thing it was doing maybe a lil bit worse. I am dumping way to much money in this car. What do you guys think ? help please.....festyboy the spark plugs seem fine

[FestYboy]

ok, the timing being off CAN cause the sputter, but i never said it WAS the cause of the sputter.... your mechanic should have said the same thing and he also should have done a compression test right off the bat. tell him to do a compression test and don't pay for it because it's what he should have done in the first place once reseting the timing. also, does your mecanic know that the timing marks on the crank pulley aren't the same as the TDC mark on the crank?....

[Dom]

ok, the timing being off CAN cause the sputter, but i never said it WAS the cause of the sputter.... your mechanic should have said the same thing and he also should have done a compression test right off the bat. tell him to do a compression test and don't pay for it because it's what he should have done in the first place once reseting the timing. also, does your mecanic know that the timing marks on the crank pulley aren't the same as the TDC mark on the crank?....

to be honest i do not think this guy knew what he was doing.. im just so frustrated so the car is still there until monday till they work on it the only reason i brought it there is because i had no time this weekend and i needed the car for work on monday well thats not gonna happen. were is the tdc mark go i left my manual in the car.
Also how much should a mechanic charge for a timing belt ,water pump and tensioner ?

[muleskinner]

According to my Festiva shop manual dated 1988. The tensioner bolt should be tightened to 19-26 N * m (14-19 lb-ft).

[FestYboy]

to see the TDC mark you need to look under the WP snout (behind the timing belt cover) using a strong flashlight. crank the engine by hand untill the notch in the timingcog comes into view. it needs to sit directly under the pointer on the oil pump housing. that's TDC.

[Dom]

to see the TDC mark you need to look under the WP snout (behind the timing belt cover) using a strong flashlight. crank the engine by hand untill the notch in the timingcog comes into view. it needs to sit directly under the pointer on the oil pump housing. that's TDC.

What is the compression supposed to be ?

[muleskinner]

Also according to the shop manual diagnostic, the car lacking power/sputters .... hang on to your seat!
Vacuum distribution:
-vacuum leaks/cloggs.
Induction:
-air duct hoses
-filter element
-vane airflow meter
-throttle plate(s) & linkage
-throttle body gasket
Cooling:
-Coolant level
Fuel delivery:
-Filter
-pump
-Low pressure filter
-lines
-Pressure regulator
-injectors
Base engine:
-Compression check
-Camshaft out of line
-Worn camshaft lobes
-Weak or broken valve spring
-Sticking, damaged, or worn piston rings
-Malfunction of hydraulic lash
-Adjusters (HLA)
-Blown cylinder head
-gasket or cracked or distorted cylinder head
-seized valve stem or guides
-cracked or worn piston or cylinder
Ignition:
-Scope engine for: spark plugs, coil, secondary wires, distriibutor cap & rotor.
Exhaust:
-components restricted
Carb:
-Components
EGR:
-Components
Iginition timing:
-Base plus advance and retard functions

There are other diagnostics for Stalls/quits & Stumbles/hesitates during accelerations

I know you have fixed or checked some of this. If you checked, check again. If you like the car, don't give up. You will find the problem.

Since I purchased my 89 Festiva for $800 I have put over $1500 into it & I still have to put more into it to get it to where I like it. I'm going to start purchasing some more tools so I can do my own work ...... like the rear wheel bearings.

[Dom]

Also according to the shop manual diagnostic, the car lacking power/sputters .... hang on to your seat!
Vacuum distribution:
-vacuum leaks/cloggs.
Induction:
-air duct hoses
-filter element
-vane airflow meter
-throttle plate(s) & linkage
-throttle body gasket
Cooling:
-Coolant level
Fuel delivery:
-Filter
-pump
-Low pressure filter
-lines
-Pressure regulator
-injectors
Base engine:
-Compression check
-Camshaft out of line
-Worn camshaft lobes
-Weak or broken valve spring
-Sticking, damaged, or worn piston rings
-Malfunction of hydraulic lash
-Adjusters (HLA)
-Blown cylinder head
-gasket or cracked or distorted cylinder head
-seized valve stem or guides
-cracked or worn piston or cylinder
Ignition:
-Scope engine for: spark plugs, coil, secondary wires, distriibutor cap & rotor.
Exhaust:
-components restricted
Carb:
-Components
EGR:
-Components
Iginition timing:
-Base plus advance and retard functions

There are other diagnostics for Stalls/quits & Stumbles/hesitates during accelerations

I know you have fixed or checked some of this. If you checked, check again. If you like the car, don't give up. You will find the problem.

Since I purchased my 89 Festiva for $800 I have put over $1500 into it & I still have to put more into it to get it to where I like it. I'm going to start purchasing some more tools so I can do my own work ...... like the rear wheel bearings.

Wow ... You weren't kidding hang on to my seat